Trailer Bunk Question....Lag Screw or Bolt?
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18294
Printed Date: May-04-2024 at 8:57pm
Topic: Trailer Bunk Question....Lag Screw or Bolt?
Posted By: davidg
Subject: Trailer Bunk Question....Lag Screw or Bolt?
Date Posted: July-01-2010 at 9:36pm
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Guys...I am going to be working on my trailer bunks this weekend. I am considering fastening the new bunks on with lag screws from underneath vs. running bolts through the entire board and fastening with a nut.
Any thoughts on whether lag screws are acceptable? |
Replies:
Posted By: mtguy
Date Posted: July-01-2010 at 9:59pm
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I would think you'd want a bolt not a lag screw, especially if your trailer is in and out of the water. Seems like lag bolts work loose over a period of years when exposed to water like a trailer would be. If you do use a lag screw I would put them in with some waterproof glue that's for sure.
Just one man's opinion. ~Peter ------------- '95 SN '53 Hutchuck '56 Essaness Craft |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: July-01-2010 at 10:12pm
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Dave,
I agree that the lags aren't the greatest idea. Yes, to much wet/dry. They won't hold very well after time. It's come up several times that the best way is with hex head bolts. Just counter bore the top side of the wood so the heads are below the surface then, if you ever have to remove them you have something to grab onto (the hex head). This is better than carriage bolts where the square under the head never really grabs especially with some years on them. Double nut or Nyloc nut the bottoms of the bolts. This is also important due to the swelling shrinking the wood goes through with the wet/dry. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: July-02-2010 at 12:59am
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my boatmate trailer came with lag bolts...they were all loose.....I replaced so far the ones that would bite anymore..the rest I will end up replacing them when I have some spare time to work on it....
------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: July-02-2010 at 1:58am
| I appreciate advice guys. If I went with lag screws, I could put the carpet on the new bunks now, and install them quickly at the lake. If I go with the bolts, I will have to wait to put the carpet on after I drill and counter sink holes. I bit more of hassle, but, I do agree that bolts are probably the way to go. |
Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: July-02-2010 at 11:49am
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Dave:
For my 78 trailer, I used Stainless Steel very large machine screws with nylon lock nuts (got through Fastenal). The bunks are counter sunk, the carpet is placed and stapled, the screws go through the finished bunks and nuts are applied. When tightened the screw heads are low and well below the surface of carpeted bunk. They are smooth and look great. That application fits everyone's criteria........... 
Steve ------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |
Posted By: davidg
Date Posted: July-02-2010 at 1:24pm
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Steve....I like your idea. Plus, by having the head of the machine screws on top of the bunk, you can get to it with a screw driver to work on it with out having to tear the carpet off the bunk.
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Posted By: Air206
Date Posted: July-02-2010 at 2:16pm
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Dave -
Those screws are NOT CHEAP (but they work out great) ..... I think that is why some manufacturers liked to use lag bolts - save a dime or two ... and some time in final assembly Ha!  ------------- https://tinyurl.com/y6t5e3bu" rel="nofollow - 04 Air206 http://tinyurl.com/9urzgls" rel="nofollow - 91 Barefoot 78 SkiTiq |